Glacier changes in the central and northern Tien Shan during the last 140 years based on surface and remote-sensing data
This research presents a precise evaluation of the recession of Akshiirak and Ala Archa glaciers, Tien Shan, central Asia, based on data of geodetic surveys from 1861–69, aerial photographs from 1943, 1963, 1977 and 1981, 1:25000 scale topographic maps and SRTM and ASTER data from 2000–03.
Glacier retreat and climatic variability in the eastern Terskey–Alatoo, inner Tien Shan between the middle of the 19th century and beginning of the 21st century
Changes in the extent of glaciers and rates of glacier termini retreat in the eastern Terskey–Alatoo Range, the Tien Shan Mountains, Central Asia have been evaluated using the remote sensing techniques. Changes in the extent of 335 glaciers between the end of the Little Ice Age (LIA; mid-19th century), 1990 and 2003 have been estimated […]
Glacier change over the past four decades in the middle Chinese Tien Shan
Terminus fluctuation and area change in mountain glaciers in the middle Chinese Tien Shan over the past four decades are examined, based on Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS), Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), Système Probatoire pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) highresolution visible (HRV) imagery, topographical maps and China Glacier Inventory data using Geographical Information System […]
Climate change and glacier retreat in northern Tien Shan (Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan) using remote sensing data
This paper presents an analysis of precipitation and temperature trends and a GIS-supported investigation of the related glacier change in the mountain ridges Zailiyskiy and Kungey Alatau, which represent an important part of the northern Tien Shan. The recent glacier coverage was delineated in a semi-automated way using a TM4/TM5 ratio image of a Landsat […]
Climate, snow cover, ghlaciers, and runoff in the Tien Shan, Central Asia
The Pica Shan, a mountainous region located on the northern periphery of central Asia, has a wide range of climatic and hydrological conditions. On the basis of long term data from 348 meteorological and glaciological stations, the annual distribution of precipitation in different regions and elevational zones of the Tien Shan was calculated. Major climatic […]
Mountain Adaptation Outlook Series: Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Central Asian Mountains
The report focuses on the impacts of climate change on people, ecosystems and the economies of the Central Asian countries and proposes that a development of climate change policies in these countries is essential. It synthesizes the existing information on current trends and challenges in terms of climate change adaptation in mountain regions of Central […]
Glaciers and Glaciation, 2nd edition
Glaciers and Glaciation is the classic textbook for all students of glaciation. Stimulating and accessible, it has established a reputation as a comprehensive and essential resource. In this new edition, the text, references and illustrations have been thoroughly updated to give today’s reader an up-to-the minute overview of the nature, origin and behaviour of glaciers […]
Glacier Lake Outburst Floods
Glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) refer to sudden and in some cases cyclic release of meltwater from a glacier-dammed or moraine-dammed lake, which can result in a catastrophic flood. Thorarinsson (1939) introduced the term “jökulhlaup” for glacial floods due to the cataclysmic drainage of subglacial lakes in Iceland. It was originally referred to outburst floods […]
The Hindu Kush Himalaya assessment: Mountains, climate change, sustainability and people
This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. It comprises important scientific research on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable mountain development and will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making to safeguard the environment and advance people’s well-being. The compiled content is based on […]
Reconstruction of Pleistocene Ice-Dammed Lake Outburst Floods in the Altai Mountains, Siberia
In the Altai Mountains, located in southern Siberia, some of the largest floods in Earth’s history occurred in Pleistocene times. The floods were caused by ice-dammed lake outburst floods comparable with glacial Lake Missoula events. In this volume, the remnants of the repeated jökulhlaups and key features of the local Pleistocene environment are described in […]
Glaciers and hydrological changes in the Tien Shan: simulation and prediction
In this study, we estimated the current glacier state and forecast the potential impact of global and regional climate change on the glaciers and glacier runoff in the Tien Shan. General (G) and detailed (D) simulations were developed based on assessment of the Tien Shan glacier recession between 1943 and 2003 using an iterative stepwise […]
Climate change profile: Tajikistan
The Climate Change Profile provides an overview of projected climate parameters for Tajikistan and related impacts on the water resources, infrastructure, health, and agricultural sector in Tajikistan under different greenhouse gas emissions scenarios (called Representative Concentration Pathways, RCPs). While using easy-to-read graphs and texts intended for non-experts this climate change profile builds on the latest […]